title: Cytokine fusion constructs as DNA vaccines against tumors.
abstract: Various studies have used DNA vaccination as a method of immunizing against tumors (1-12). As with any tumor vaccine, one challenge is to find a truly tumor-specific antigen (13,14). The majority of immunologically targeted tumor antigens are also expressed on a subset of normal host cells. Examples of such antigens include prostate-specific antigen, and CD20, a B cell marker. Some tumor antigens are specific for activated cells of certain types, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) or the IL-2 receptor. These are often found on embryonic or fetal cells as well as tumor cells. The carbohydrate antigens of melanomas and the immunoglobulin (Ig) idiotype of B cell lymphomas represent tumor-specific antigens (TSA). Unfortunately, TSA have not been identified in more common malignancies. Furthermore, the antigenic determinants of known TSA may differ between patients; for example, the tumor idiotype (Id) of B cell lymphoma is highly patient-specific and must be determined for each case.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine/Oncology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA.
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Maecker
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Syrengelas
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Levy